Crimping apparatus



4 Sheets-Sheet l R. M. CQNKLIN CRIMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2, 1943 Oct. 17, 1944.

/VVEN TOR mucowmm A TTOR/VEY I Oct. .17, 19440 R. M. CONKLIN CRIMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1945 INVENTOR /?.M.CONKL IN ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1944. R. M CONKLIN CRIMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2,1945

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR R. M. CON/(LIN A T TORNEY Patented Oct. 17, 1944 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE CRIMPING APPARATUS Application February 2, 1343, Serial No. 474,459

18 Claims.

This invention relates to crimping apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for connecting conductor cores to terminal sleeves.

In various electrical units which are usedin containers, the conductor leads of the units are secured to terminals mounted upon the casings. Such units are frequently assembled in their casings manually, and the various conductor leads individually fed to their respective terminals and secured invarious ways thereto.' The speed of production, in the manufacture of such units depends greatly upon decreasing as much as possible the steps necessary to complete the structure.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple yet highly efficient apparatus for sequentially connecting conductor leads of an electrical unit to their terminals.

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises a crimping apparatus including a locating member for an electrical unit having conductor leads disposed in hollow terminals, crimping units for the terminals located adjacent their respective terminals when the unit is in position, and mechanism operable to actuate the units to crimp the terminals on their leads.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View of the apparatus shown in its normal position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in normal position, a portion of the cover being removed to illustrate the parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the apparatus in operated position with an electrical unit in place;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of one of the crimping units shown in closed position, this view being taken along the line 6-6 .of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of an electrical unit with terminals to be crimped;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the electrical unit, and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the terminals of the electrical unit.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus includes a base ill consisting of two parts spaced at their inner ends for the positioning of a support or guide I! for the electrical unit shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The support I l is longitudinally grooved, as at l2 and M, the former receiving the electrical unit in general, providing a supporting lower surface and locating vertical surfaces, while the latter receives a mounting angle 15 of a casing [8 for the electrical unit ll. The support i l, as illustrated in Fig. 2, is of sufiicient length to receive a plurality of the electrical units successively and to allow for their move ment in this order into the apparatus and through the apparatus to the opposite side thereof after the operations thereon have been completed. It will also be apparent, by viewing Fig. ,2, that the vertical walls of the groove l2 are bevelled, as at [8, to assist in locating the electrical units in the grooves of the support. The rearmost end of the support H is closed, as at 19, to prevent the electrical units from dropping off the support, these units being removed manually and placed in a receptacle.

Vertical members 20 are mounted upon the members of the base It, as at 2| (Fig. 1), these vertical or side members having apertures 23 therein of the contour illustrated in Fig. l, including a portion conforming to the support ll, these apertures continuing above the support to allow for the respective entrance of the electrical units into the apparatus and the passage of the electrical units out of the apparatus after the operations have been performed thereon. A cover 24, of the general contour shown in Figs. 1 and 3, conforming to the side and top edges of the vertical members 29, cooperates with these members and the portions of the base to complete a housing for the inner structures of the apparatus.

Before continuing with the operating structuresof the apparatus, attention is first directed to the electrical unit and its casing (Figs. 3, 7, 8 and 9). The electrical unit ll includes a plurality of coils or other structures having conductor leads 26 which are positioned in hollow ortubular terminals 21, the latter being supported, but insulated from the casing It as '11-- lustrated at 28 (Fig. 9). It will be noted that in the present illustration there are four terminals upon one side of the casing, or electrical unit, and two terminals upon the opposite side thereof. Furthermore, certain of the four terminals lie in different planes or arein staggered relation with each other. The purpose of the apparatus is to crimp the terminals 21, as illustrated in Fig. 9 at positions 36, causing these portions to firmly engage their respective lead 26, mechanically fixing the lead in the terminal and assuring satisfactory electrical connection therebetween.

With the electrical unit and its arrangement of terminals in mind, attention is now directed to the apparatus, particularly Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, which illustrate the apparatus in its normal position. Upon the opposite sides of the support H, particularly the path the electrical units will take in their movement into the apparatus, sets of crimping units are disposed, there being four crimping units upon one side, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and two crimping units on the other side, as illustrated in Fig. 5, these units being identified generally by reference numerals 3| to 36 inclusive. These units are identical in structure and a detailed description of one unit for each set is believed suificient for a clear understanding of all units.

Considering first the set of units at the left in Fig. 1, the unit which is seen in this figure is unit 3|. This unit includes a fixed member 46 supported by shafts 4| and 42, which in turn have their ends supported by the vertical members 20. In actual structure there are two of these fixed members 46, as illustrated in Fig. 4, mounted upon the outer sides of the group of units 3| to 34 inclusive. The lower ends of the members 40 are drilled or apertured to receive the ends of a rod 44 which supports one end of a spring 45 for the unit 3|. The other end of the spring 45 is connected to a crimping member 46 which, as illustrated in Fig. 6, is U-shaped in general contour, to straddle the forward end of its actuating element &1, where it is secured as at 48. The crimping member 46 has a bead-like engaging portion 49 cooperating with a similar portion of a crimping member to perform the crimping operation on a terminal 21 when the latter is disposed in the apparatus. The crimping member 5| is of the general contour illustrated in Fig. 6, having a central portion 52 positioned between parallel members 53 constituting the actuating element for this crimping member. Thus the actuating element 41 is of a single structure, while the element 53 is formed of two members. The former is interposed between the members of the latter and connected thereto by a pivotal member 55, permitting relative movement of the actuating elements. The pivotal connection 55 is adjacent the forward ends of the elements, the outer or rearward end of the element 53 being movably mounted upon the shaft 4|, while the outer end of the element 41 has a reduced portion 55 adapted to be positioned over the shaft 4| when in the operated position shown in Fig. 3. A cam lever 51, mounted for rotation upon the shaft 62, carries an adjustable screw 58 at its outer end positioned to engage the element 41, particularly the reduced portion 56 thereof, and cause actuation of the elements 41 and 53 through movement of their respective cam 66.

This completes the general structure of the unit 3|, attention again being directed to the fact that there are four such units substantially identical in structure, the only difference being in the relative positions of their cams, the other cams being indicated at 6|, 62 and 63, to cause sequential actuation of the units to minimize the power essential for the operation of the apparatus. The crimping members 46 of all of the units in this group normally rest upon a supporting member 65 extending horizontally beneath the units and supported by the vertical members 20.

All of the cams 60 to 63 inclusive are fixedly mounted upon a shaft 66, the latter being journalled in suitable bearings in the vertical members 20. The shaft 66 also has a gear 61 fixed thereto which interengages a gear 68, the latter being operatively connected, through a gear 69, to a main gear 19. The gears 68 and 69 are rotatably mounted on spindles 1| and 12 supported by the adjacent vertical member 20. The gear 10 is mounted upon a shaft 15 which is suitably journalled in bearings in the vertical members 20, the gear being cut away, as at 16, to provide radial portions adapted for engagement With a stop pin 11 to limit rotation of the gear in r extended through gears 99 and SI, to rotate a cam shaft 92 for the actuation of the units 35 and 36. The gear 96 is rotatably mounted upon a. spindle 93 supported by the adjacent vertical member 26, and the shaft 92 has its ends suitably journalled in bearings in the vertical members. Cams 94 and 95, substantially identical in contour, are mounted upon the shaft 92 at out-ofaligned positions, to cause sequential actuations of the units 35 and 36.

The units 35 and 36 are substantially identical to the units 3| to 34 inclusive, the unit 36 being the only one of this group shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Therefore, a description of the unit 36 will be sufficient, it is believed, for both units 35 and 36. A cam lever 96, mounted for rotation upon a shaft 91, carries, in its outer end, an adjustable screw 98 positioned to engage a reduced end 99 of an actuating element I60, the latter being positioned between spaced members of an actuating element |D|, both elements being pivotally connected to each other as at I02. The element I00 has a crimping member I63, identical in structure to the crimping member 46, mounted upon the inner end thereof, as at [64. The actuating element I00 has a crimping member I65 mounted at the forward end thereof, as at I66, this crimping member being identical with the crimping member 5| and being similarly supported between the members of the lement. The actuating element I60 is pivotally supported, at its outer end, upon a shaft I01, the latter having its ends suitably supported by the vertical members 20. The units 35 and 36 each have a pair of members I09 supported by the shafts 91 and H11 and supporting therebetween, at their lower ends, rods M0, to which the adjacent ends of their respective springs are secured, the inner ends of these springs being connected to their respective crimping members 03 as shown. A stop or supporting member H2, identical with the member 65, is

mounted for the crimping members I03 to rest thereon when in their open positions. This completes the structure of the units 35 and 36.

Considering now the operation of the apparatus, attention is first directed to Figs. 1 and 2,

which illustrate the apparatus in its normal posiindicate the accurate location for the units when in the operating position. When in this position the handle 18 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3. During the movement of the handle the units 31 to 36 inclusive are actuated, their crimping members 46-451 and lil3l05- being moved toward their respective terminals.

Attention is now directed to the unit 3|, a description of the operation of this unit being the same as the operation of all other units 32 to 36 inclusive. During the rotation of the shaft in the operating direction, as indicated by the arrow (Fig.1), the gear 35 will be rotated clockwise, rotating the gear 68 counterclockwise and rotating the shaft 66 with its earns 6 to $3 in a clockwise direction. Ihe cam iii! will, therefore, engage its cam lever 5i, rotating it about the shaft 42 and causing the screw 58 to impart a counterclockwise movement to the actuating element 4?. During this movement of the element 41 about its pivot 55, the crimping member 46 will remain at rest upon its support 35, the pivot 55 causing clockwise movement of the actuating elements 53 about its shaft 4i until the crimping member 5! is moved into engagement with its terminal 2?. At this time the actuating element 53 will rest upon its terminal and apply a sufficient holding force theretortaken from the spring 45, to hold the electrical unit against displace.- ment. ihe continued counterclockwise movement of the element M will cause movement of the crimping member 33 away from its support 65 and into engagement with the opposite side of the terminal engaged by the member 5!. At this time both crimping elements engage the terminal to be crimped, and, through the further movement of the cam lever 51 and its cam 6!), equal pressure will be applied to both crimping elements, to crimp the terminal 21 as indicated in Fig. 9, and to thus form a strong mechanical and electrical connection between the terminal and the lead 26.

This completes the operation of the unit 3| from the normal position to the completion of the operating position.

There may be further movement of the handle 18, however, so as to cause the units 32, 33 and 34 to complete their operations through their cams BI, 62 and 63. The units 3! to 34 inclusive are, therefore, operated in a given sequence and not simultaneously, to thus minimize the force necessary to bring about operation thereof. The operations of the units 35 and 36 are the same as that described regarding the unit 3!, these units 35 and 36 also being operated in a given sequence with the other units so that no two operations are performed at the same time. This does not mean that all other units remain idle during movement of one unit, but that the actual crimping operations of the units which take place during fragmentary portions of their complete movements into operating positions, are performed at different intervals.

After all of the operations have been completed, this being determined by the limit of movement of the handle F8 in the operating direction through the control of the stop pin H, the handle may be returned to the normal position shown in Fig. 1, returning its associated mechanisms to their normal positions, allowing opening of the units 3! to 36 inclusive through their associated springs 45 and/or HI and thus freeing the terminals of the electrical unit just operated upon, allowing for movement of another unit in placeQthe first unit passing through the apparatus on the support H, where it may be removed by the operator.

It will be apparent from the aforegoing descriptions that the portion H supports the electrical unit and that the grooves l2 and I4 provide walls for the guiding of the unit into the operating position. However, due to the necessary clearance between the unit and the walls of the support for movement of the unit in the support, it would be possible'for displacement of the unit if a holding means were not provided. Such holding means is present in the crimping units in that their upper crimping members 5| and l 65 apply their holding forces to their terminals before the actual crimping of the terminals begins. For example, if the crimping units were operated in the following sequence, 3|, 36, 34, 35, 32 and 33, the holding forces would be distributed to different parts of the electrical unit. After the holding means has applied its holding force the crimping operations may be carried out in a similar order.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of thisinvention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of spaced hollow conductor receiving terminals to be crimped to their conductors, a plurality of crimping units adapted to crimp their respective terminals when actuated, and means adapted to sequentially actuate the units.

2. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of spaced hollow conductor receiving terminals to be crimped to their conductors, means to hold the article against displacement in the support, a plurality of crimping units adapted to crimp their respective terminals when actuated, and means adapted to sequentially actuate the units.

3. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a hollow conductor receiving terminal to be crimped on its conductor, an actuable unit having crimping members, and means to actuate the unit to cause one of the crimping members" to hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently cause the crimping members to crimp the terminal.

4. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a portion to be crimped, an actuable unit having crimping members, a pivot for connecting the members, means tonormally urge the crimping members into open position, and means to actuate the unit to cause one of the crimping members to hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently cause relative movement of the crimping members about the pivot to crimp the said portion.

5. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a portion to be crirnped, an actuable unit having relatively movable crimping members, means to cause relative movement of the members given distances to cause crimping of the said portion, and means to control the movements of the members to cause one of them to engage the said portion and hold the article against displacement prior to the engagement of :he other crimping member with the said por ion.

6. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a portion to be crimped, an actuable unit having relatively movable crimping members, means to cause relative movement of the members given distances to cause crimping of the said portion, and means to control the movements of the members to cause -one of them to engage the said portion and hold the article against displacement prior to the engagement of the other crimping member with the said portion, and means to vary the said given distance the member are moved to vary the crimping of the said portion.

7. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units each having relatively movable crimping members, means to cause relative movement of the members in each unit given distances to cause crimping of their respective portions, and means to control the movement of the members to cause one member of each unit to engage its portion to hold the article against displacement prior to the engagement of the other crimping members with their portions.

8. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units each having relatively movable crimping members, means to cause relative movement of the members in each unit given distances to cause crimping of their respective portions, means to control the movements of the members to cause one member of each unit to engage its portion to hold the article against displacement prior to r the engagement of the other crimping members with their portions, and means to vary the said given distances the members of each unit are moved to vary the crimping of each of the said portions.

9. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units to hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently crimp the said portions thereof, and means to sequentially actuate the units and cause completion of the holding of the article by all units prior to the crimping of the portions by any of the units.

10. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of'portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units to hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently crimp the said portions thereof, and cam actuated means to sequentially actuate the units.

11. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units to hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently crimp the said portions thereof, and a mechanism including a plurality of cams for the units movable in a given order to sequentially actuate the units.

12. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a plurality of portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units to hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently crimp the said portions thereof, an operable driving element, cams for the 13. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a portion to be crimped, an actuable unit having companion crimping members relatively movable into open and closed positions, means to pivotally connect the members for such relative movement, means to support the unit for movement relative to the article, and means to actuate the unit to cause one of the members to engage the portion and hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently cause relative movement of the members into the closed position to crimp the portion.

14. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a portion to be crimped, an actuable unit having companion crimping members relatively movable into open and closed positions, means to pivotally connect the members for such relative movement, means to normally urge the members into their open positions, means to support the unit for movement relative to the article, and means to actuate the unit to cause one of the members to engage the portion and hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently cause relative movement of the members into the closed position to crimp the portion.

15. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having a portion to be crimped, an actuable unit having companion crimping members relatively movable into open and closed positions, means to pivotally connect the members for such relative movement, means to pivotally support the unit for movement relative to the article, and means to actuate the unit to cause one of the members to engage the portion and hold the article against displacement on the support and to subsequently cause relative movement of the members into the closed position to crimp the portion.

16. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having spaced portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units having each companion crimping members relatively movable into open and closed positions, means to pivotally connect the members of each unit for movement relative to their respective projections, and means to sequentially actuate the units to move the members thereof about their pivotal connections to crimp their portions.

17. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having spaced portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units having each companion crimping members relatively movable into open and closed positions, means to pivotally connect the members of each unit for movement relative to their respective projections, and means to sequentially actuate the units to cause one member of each unit to engage its portion to hold the article against displacement and to subsequently cause relative movement of the members to cause crimping of the members.

18. A crimping apparatus comprising a support for an article having spaced portions to be crimped, a plurality of actuable units having each companion crimping members relatively movable into open and closed positions, means to pivotally connect the members of each unit for movement relative to their respective projections, and means to normally urge the members of each unit into their open positions.

ROBERT M. CONKLIN. 

